The Camping Forum

[LittleSkink]

Wanting to have a weekend away with our two little ones and stumped for a good place to go

We like Slenningford (nr Ripon) but traveling up the A1 after school on a Friday doesnt appeal. Sherwood Forest Park is nice but the tent field is slopey and a bit boring. The Buxton and Derbyshire sites we know are either noisy or slopey

Looking for somewhere peaceful and interesting enough for the kids. We have our own loo so facilities dont have to be great. Late departure Sunday would be ice

You can get a fair way from Sheffield in an hour or so but prefereably avoiding hotspot roads like M1 A1 as they can be dreadful

thanks folks

[Former Scout]

I tend to camp in North Wales, the Lakes or North Yorkshire, all of which are beyond the one hour drive for you. However I had a short camp at Mandale near Bakewell, Derbyshire, a couple of seasons back and, for what we wanted, it was very good.

It's very uncommercial, which is what we like (no club house, no playground, etc), it's quiet, remote, has lovely scenery and is very near to some lovely walks (look up Lathkill Dale on Google Earth - beautiful!). It's also inexpensive. It's a touch exposed if heavy winds are forecast but there are some sheltered spots as well. I only went for a short camp with just one of my children but he loved it as did I. I'm sure that we will return in the not too distant future.

http://www.mandalehouse.co.uk/camping.html

[LittleSkink]

thanks Former Scout - looks great

wandering around google maps and streetview I found Haddon Grove Farm on the same road and just as peaceful

its funny Lathkill Dale is only a few minutes from home for us, so never thought of it as a place to camp but the kids and OH want to try it now. Need to pick a weekend ahope for the weather to pick up a little . . .

[Former Scout]

I called in at Haddon Grove Farm to have a look at it when I was passing nearby a couple of years back, before I went to Mandale. For some reason I didn't like it as much as I liked Mandale. To be honest is was early spring and a dull overcast day, so you could argue I didn't see it at its best. But I'm sure that there's more than that. I'm also sure that part of it is that Mandale don't seem to take caravans whereas there were many at Haddon Grove....at the risk of upsetting many people out there I prefer sites without caravans!!

[pantherpass]

It's great to hear about new sites to visit, as i only got my tent for my 40th birthday!! I have been a static caravan man until now, as I run my own caravan rental website, but the kids keep saying they want to stay in a tent, so that is obviously what we will do. Thanks for the recommendation.

Jim
http://www.caravanholidayuk.com